Irresistible Nutella Filled Donut Holes: Your Guide to Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Bliss
Indulge in a delightful chocolate hazelnut explosion with these homemade Nutella Filled Donut Holes, all wrapped in a wonderfully fragrant cinnamon and orange-scented dough. Imagine waking up to these warm, cinnamon-sugar coated treats – it’s truly the perfect way to kickstart your morning. What’s even better? You’ll be amazed at how incredibly simple they are to prepare right in your own kitchen! Forget store-bought; these fluffy, flavor-packed donut holes bring a touch of bakery magic home.
This recipe proudly features quality ingredients, including Bob’s Red Mill flour, whose partnership helps us bring you delicious recipes. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps Cake ‘n Knife continue creating!
Well, if you have been on a diet until now, I am pretty sure I’ve officially ruined it with this irresistible recipe. Because who could possibly resist anything fried to golden perfection, generously coated in a shimmering blend of cinnamon and sugar, and then, for the ultimate surprise, abundantly stuffed with creamy chocolate hazelnut spread? Especially first thing in the morning! This isn’t just a treat; it’s a transcendent breakfast experience that promises pure delight.
Imagine this scenario: you’re holding a steaming cup of your favorite coffee in one hand, and in the other, one of these perfectly round, joy-inducing Nutella filled donut holes. With such a blissful start, you could essentially take on the world! The combination of the warm, fluffy dough, the subtle hint of orange and cinnamon, and the gooey, rich chocolate hazelnut center creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly unmatched. These aren’t just mere pastries; they are a declaration of a good day ahead, a small luxury that makes life sweeter and more vibrant. They are the ultimate homemade breakfast or dessert, offering comfort and pure indulgence in every single bite.
The Unbeatable Joy of Homemade Donut Holes
Anything infused with the magic of a creamy, dreamy chocolate hazelnut spread instantly makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. There’s just something inherently comforting and luxurious about it. But truly, there is NOTHING like devouring a freshly made, fluffy donut hole that’s generously stuffed with that wonderful spread. The moment the warm, soft dough meets the cool, rich Nutella, it creates an unforgettable taste and texture sensation that store-bought versions simply cannot replicate. These Nutella filled donut holes are not just a snack; they are a small, perfect celebration.
Donut holes are truly magical, aren’t they? Their small, perfectly round shape makes them ideal for popping into your mouth with ease, or for a delightful dunk into your morning coffee or a glass of cold milk. While I once routinely bought them on my way into work, embracing a work-from-home lifestyle has opened my eyes to the incredible ease and sheer deliciousness of making them myself. The homemade version is a revelation, a testament to how simple ingredients can transform into something truly extraordinary with just a little effort. Once you’ve experienced the warmth and freshness of a donut hole straight out of your own kitchen, still glistening from the oil and coated in sparkling cinnamon sugar, you’ll find it impossible to ever go back to buying them from a store. The taste, the aroma, the pure satisfaction—it’s an experience that resets your expectations. EVER. They are simply the best homemade chocolate hazelnut donuts you will ever taste.
The Foundation of Fluffy Fried Donuts: Choosing the Right Flour
When you are making anything fried with a dough base, especially delicate treats like these Nutella filled donut holes, you truly want to ensure you are using the best quality flour possible. The flour is the backbone of your dough, dictating its texture, rise, and overall flavor absorption. For these particular donut holes, I consistently reach for Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Unbleached White Flour. Its superior quality and consistent grind are key to keeping the texture of these donut holes wonderfully light and exceptionally fluffy. It is precisely because the dough is so airy and tender that the delicate notes of cinnamon and the bright, fragrant orange zest truly come through in every single bite, creating a balanced and delightful flavor profile.
Beyond performance in fried foods, it’s incredibly reassuring to have a flour I can depend on for all my baking needs, from intricate pastry projects to simple everyday recipes. Knowing that Bob’s Red Mill provides organic, unbleached flour, and understanding the integrity of their sourcing, offers a huge comfort. In a world where food quality can vary, their commitment to providing wholesome, high-quality ingredients means I can bake with confidence, knowing my creations will not only taste amazing but also be made with the best possible components. This attention to detail in their flour truly elevates the homemade experience, making every batch of these chocolate hazelnut donuts a success.
Why Bob’s Red Mill Flour Elevates Your Baking
Bob’s Red Mill just gets how to make a quality product and how to cultivate a brand that becomes an indispensable staple in your very own home. Their dedication to healthy, natural foods and meticulous milling processes results in flours that consistently deliver superior results. The difference is palpable – the way their flour interacts with liquids, the elasticity it gives to doughs, and the perfect browning it achieves in fried goods are unmatched. Once you start incorporating their products into your pantry, you will find it incredibly hard to go back to whatever generic brand you were using before. The enhanced texture, flavor, and overall success of your baked goods will speak for themselves. TRUST me, choosing a premium flour like Bob’s Red Mill is an investment in your culinary happiness and the deliciousness of every single Nutella filled donut hole you make.
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This Recipe’s Must Haves
To make these irresistible Nutella filled donut holes a breeze to prepare, here are some essential tools and ingredients that will help you achieve perfection:
- Wilton Master Decorating Tip Set: Crucial for neatly piping the Nutella filling into your donut holes. An open star tip works best for this.
- Cake Boss Disposable Plastic Icing Bags: Makes filling and cleaning up incredibly easy, perfect for the Nutella.
- Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Sauce Pan: Ideal for deep frying, as cast iron maintains a consistent oil temperature, which is essential for evenly cooked donut holes.
- Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet: Perfect for lining with paper towels to drain excess oil from your freshly fried donut holes, keeping them crisp.
- A reliable kitchen thermometer: Absolutely critical for monitoring oil temperature, ensuring your donut holes cook perfectly without burning or becoming greasy.
Nutella Filled Donut Holes
ingredients
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup milk whole milk recommended for richness
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp freshly grated orange zest don’t skip for best flavor!
- 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted, for coating
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/3 cup Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread or other chocolate hazelnut spread
instructions
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Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together the milk and the egg until well combined. Set aside.
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Combine Dry & Wet: In a separate, medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together the Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour, ground cinnamon, freshly grated orange zest, baking powder, and salt. Make sure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed. Gradually pour the whisked milk mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until they are just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix. Add the 4 tablespoons of melted butter and continue to stir until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
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Heat Oil: Add enough vegetable oil to a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven to reach a depth of at least 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature closely, as consistent heat is crucial for perfectly fried donuts. While the oil heats, line a large baking sheet with several layers of paper towels to absorb excess oil from the fried donut holes.
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Fry Donut Holes: Once the oil is at the correct temperature, use a small ice cream scoop or two spoons to carefully drop approximately 1 tablespoon amounts of dough into the hot oil. Fry in small batches, about 3-4 donut holes at a time, to avoid overcrowding the pan and dropping the oil temperature too much. Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes, flipping them gently with a slotted spoon or spider as needed, until they are beautifully golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove the fried donut holes with the slotted spoon and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet to drain. Repeat with the remaining dough.
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Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Once the donut holes are cool enough to handle (but still warm), prepare the topping. Add 4 tablespoons of melted butter (for coating) to a small bowl. In a separate, shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar, 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, stirring well to create your cinnamon-sugar coating. Gently dip each warm donut hole into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated, then shake off any excess. Immediately roll the buttered donut hole in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated. Place the coated donut holes on a wire cooling rack to prevent them from becoming soggy.
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Fill with Nutella: Fill a piping bag fitted with a small open star tip (or a round tip) with the Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread. Gently insert the tip into one side of each donut hole, pushing it slightly into the center. Slowly squeeze the piping bag to inject the Nutella inside until you see it just start to peek out of the hole you made. Be careful not to overfill, as this can cause the donut hole to burst.
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Serve Immediately: These Nutella Filled Donut Holes are best enjoyed warm and fresh. Serve them immediately with your favorite hot beverage for an unforgettable breakfast or dessert experience!